Czech Republic to cooperate with Britain on developing small and medium-sized nuclear reactors

The Czech Republic will cooperate with the United Kingdom on developing small and medium-sized nuclear reactors. This follows a joint cooperation statement signed in Prague today by Czech Industry Minister Jozef Síkela (STAN) and his British counterpart Andrew Bowie. The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO) informed the Czech News Agency (ČTK) of the signing in a press release today. The Czech Republic wants to build several small modular reactors in the future, which are expected to replace existing coal-fired power plants.

Small and medium-sized reactors are nuclear power sources with an electrical output of up to 700 megawatts (MW) that can be built modularly. The technology is still under development and is expected to become commercially available in the early 2030s. Besides generating electricity, the reactors can also be used for district heating or hydrogen production.

„Small and medium-sized reactors represent an innovation in the use of nuclear energy that could offer the Czech Republic a new opportunity and a competitive advantage. Involving Czech companies in supply chains would mean production with high added value,” Síkela said. According to him, small and medium-sized reactors, together with renewable sources, offer a solution for the Czech Republic’s energy security after coal use ends. „Together with a strong partner such as the United Kingdom, we can accelerate and make construction more efficient through joint projects.

This cooperation is the first step towards an emerging European framework for SMR partnerships, being prepared by the European Commission,” the minister added.

According to the ministry, the cooperation statement is intended to support trade and industrial cooperation between the two countries on nuclear energy projects, with the aim of accelerating the deployment of small and medium-sized reactors. The MPO also said that practical cooperation between the countries’ nuclear regulators had begun. The two countries also want to establish a strategic dialogue on specific projects.

Energy company ČEZ plans to build its first modular reactor at Temelín, with completion expected in 2032. The company has also identified two other sites for small modular reactors: Dětmarovice in the Karviná district and Tušimice in the Chomutov district. At both sites, the reactors are expected to replace existing coal-fired power plants in the second half of the next decade. The company is also assessing other potential reactor sites, including the areas of the Prunéřov, Ledvice, Mělník and Dukovany power plants.